Apparatus for non-contact cleaning a paint spray tip

Abstract

An apparatus for non-contact cleaning a paint spray tip of a spray gun. The apparatus includes a housing with a top and an opening formed in the top to receive the spray tip. At least one drier nozzle is fluidly connected to a source of compressed air so that discharge from the nozzle impinges upon and dries the spray tip. Similarly, at least one solvent nozzle is also attached to the housing around the opening and discharges solvent on the spray tip when positioned in the housing opening. One or more down flow nozzles are also mounted to the housing to create a downdraft through the housing opening to facilitate cleaning and drying of the spray gun spray tip. A heated fluid also flows through the housing in close proximity to the fluid passageways for the drier nozzle and solvent nozzle in order to heat both the drier nozzle air flow and solvent flow to facilitate cleaning of the spray tip.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]I. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a cleaning device for cleaning the paint spray tip of a spray gun.[0003]II. Description of Related Art[0004]Industrial spray painting equipment is widely used throughout the industry in many different applications. For example, robots manipulate paint spray guns in the automotive industry in order to paint automotive vehicles as well as components for those vehicles.[0005]In many applications it is desirable, indeed oftentimes required, to clean the spray tip of the paint sprayer between spraying operations. Otherwise, accumulated paint on the spray tip for the paint sprayers can result in paint drip, uneven paint spray, as well as other aesthetic defects. When this happens, it is oftentimes necessary to completely remove the paint sprayed on the article and then repaint the article. This, however, is costly and time consuming.[0006]T...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The housing in this patent has multiple passageways for heated water, drier air, and compressed air. These passageways all go through heat sinks, which means the heat from the water helps to quickly dry the spray tip after cleaning. The housing also has a down flow nozzle that creates a lowered pressure region to draw air from the drier nozzles downward and across the spray tip. This results in faster and more complete drying of the spray tip.

Problems solved by technology

Otherwise, accumulated paint on the spray tip for the paint sprayers can result in paint drip, uneven paint spray, as well as other aesthetic defects.

When this happens, it is oftentimes necessary to completely remove the paint sprayed on the article and then repaint the article.

This, however, is costly and time consuming.

While adequate drying of the paint spray tip may be achieved by increasing the cycle time for the non-contact cleaning device, such increased cycle time unacceptably increases the cycle time of the overall painting operation.

This, in turn, increases the overall cost of the painting operation.

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